Chapter 1

My Alpha fiancé made me drink a witch's memory potion on our mating ceremony day so he could bond with my stepsister Serena instead.

He said Serena was under a vicious curse and needed to bond with a powerful Alpha. He promised that he would break the bond with Serena and mark me again after he helped Serena break her curse.

But he didn't know the witch never created a corresponding antidote. In seven days, I would forget him forever.

Damon watched me drain the bottle, then looked away with shifty eyes.

"Aria, I know this is cruel... but Serena's curse is too malicious. Only bonding with a strong Alpha can break it." His voice was hoarse, heavy with self-righteous burden.

"You're the only one I love. It's always been you. I can't bear to watch you suffer because of me, so I sought out this memory potion. It will make you temporarily forget the person you love most... which is me. Once I help her break the curse, I'll immediately sever the bond with her! Then you'll take the antidote, recover your memories, and we can continue our future together. I'll make you the most honored Luna. I swear!"

I stared at him, my gaze becoming distant.

The man I loved had become so strange. I didn't even know when Damon had developed sympathy for Serena.

He knew perfectly well that Serena's mother had destroyed my parents' relationship out of greed for wealth and status, ultimately driving my mother to her death. From the moment Serena was born, she had schemed to steal everything that belonged to me. She was the person I despised most in this life.

Now this "responsibility" would sacrifice our decade-long relationship, even my memories.

Seeing my silence, Damon's brow furrowed with panic. He rushed to explain.

"Aria? You... you're angry, aren't you? Don't look at me like that... Once you drink this potion, you'll quickly forget all this pain, forget my current dilemma... I'm only doing this because I don't want you to suffer day and night over this! Once the curse is broken, I'll immediately sever the bond with her and give you the antidote. You'll forget this unpleasant episode and recover all the beautiful memories. We... we'll be just like before!"

But the memory potion was forbidden magic precisely because it would take effect after seven days, making someone completely forget their beloved. Even the mate bond would become invalid.

The witch who created the memory potion never developed a corresponding antidote. Once memories were gone, they were gone forever.

I looked at Damon and smiled.

"Since you've already made your choice and I've drunk the memory potion, you don't need to keep explaining and making promises. I'll forget it all anyway."

"You made this choice yourself. Whatever consequences come, you'd better be able to handle them."

Seeing that I neither cried nor accused him, but simply accepted everything with unusual calm, Damon's tense shoulders suddenly relaxed. He let out a long breath as if he'd lifted a thousand-pound burden. A hint of relief even returned to his eyes, his dark gaze looking at me with the confidence of someone in control.

"Since I decided to do this, I naturally thought it through. Don't worry, Aria. No matter what consequences come, I can handle them." His tone was firm, as if he was encouraging himself.

I was about to say something when sudden pain exploded in my mind. My vision went black and my body fell straight backward.

Damon caught me immediately, asking urgently.

"What's wrong?"

"I confirmed the memory potion wouldn't have side effects! Let me take you to the pack healer right now."

He moved to carry me, but I pressed against him and stumbled to my feet. My mind went blank for a moment.

Instinctively, I asked.

"What are you doing? Why are you here? Why are you holding me?"

Hearing this, Damon froze, as if understanding something. A flash of joy quickly crossed his eyes.

He immediately released me.

"I came to find Serena. You seemed unwell, so I was being presumptuous." He paused, then said, "Serena and I will have our mating ceremony in seven days. From now on, I'll be your brother-in-law."